Entertainment

Doomsday Film Festival Hits New York To Explore Society’s Obsession With ‘The End Of The World’

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — In case you haven’t heard, the rescheduled Rapture is apparently taking place this weekend, as California preacher Harold Camping is predicting the world to end on Friday, Oct. 21.

Multiple films will be screened ranging from established classics to the more obscure. Festival attendees can expect everything from nuclear fallout cartoons to early ’60s atomic parables, ’80s zombie punk and much more. Award-winning independent shorts and film premieres will also be shown.

Additionally, the 2011 Doomsday Film Fest Art show is another aspect of this year’s event. It includes a showcase of work by artists inspired and created by the idea of an Apocalypse. From raptures, plagues, meteorites, nuclear holocausts, aliens, zombie attacks, ecological catastrophe, and cybernetic revolt to the 2012 doomsday predictions, the festival will touch upon it all.

Throughout the three days, a panel-based symposium will discuss the Apocalypse in all its forms. Doomsday experts including neuroscientists, authors, critics, roboticists and a chaplain will be on hand to lead several talks.

An intimate and unique atmosphere, red lights and blaring air raid alarms will transform the 92Y Tribecca space. Furthermore, the festival will incorporate a gallery exhibit, bomb shelter lounge and a DJ’d mix of PSAs, industrial noise, and nuclear meltdown sirens.

Whether you’re worried about the end of the world or just want to view some prominent films about the End of Days, the third annual Doomsday Film Festival & Symposium has much to offer. Apocalyptic attire is welcomed, but not required.

“The only thing that should stop this film festival is the world coming to an end,” said a former festival-goer.